BETWEEN them they have notched up half a century of loyal service to the Hythe ferry.

Father and son John and Patrick Malkinson have both worked as skippers on the boat, which is now under threat.

Patrick, 43, has followed so firmly in his father's footsteps that he actually took over the role of captain directly from his dad on the day after he retired in 1995.

He is one of three skippers after working his way up the career ladder since joining the crew 18 years ago.

Patrick said that his father taught him everything he knows during the years that they worked side by side.

They are understandably concerned that the axe is now hanging over their way of life.

Patrick said: "I can't imagine doing another job, especially one that wasn't on the water. The ferry is part of us now, what with two generations doing it. It gets in your blood."

John, 75, added: "It would make a lot of difference to a lot of people if the ferry was not here. People do use their cars more these days but there are still thousands of people who don't have them and rely on the ferry."

Both father and son live in Hythe and have done ever since John started work on the ferry.

John, who stayed in the job for 32 years, said: "I am proud that Patrick carried on where I left off because I really did enjoy the job. People said: 'don't you get bored?' but there is something different happening every day."

Patrick said: "Dad went 30-odd years without an accident and I hope to follow him. It's going well so far!"

Patrick is now a doting dad and hopes that his 11-month-old son Jaydon will eventually carry on the family tradition.

The Hythe ferry is in jeopardy after ferry bosses received their latest business rates bill.

They say they cannot afford to stump up the thousands of extra pounds that they are being asked to pay eventually.

Valuation chiefs have revealed that White Horse Ferries will probably face a bill in the region of £8,862, once initial transitional relief aid stops. Ferry bosses initially feared having to pay more than £12,000 but they still say they cannot afford such a hefty increase on their current bill of less than £2,000.